Process of preparing toner treated with polymeric quaternary ammonium salt and slip agent

ABSTRACT

Process of preparing dry nonelectroscopic toner comprising pigmented organic resin particles having a size distribution of 0.2 to 30 micrometers, surface coated with at least 0.1% by weight of silicone oil or fluorocarbon compound, in combination with at least 0.5% by weight of a water soluble, polymeric quaternary ammonium compound as defined. The toner is useful in color developing positive- and negative-working photosensitive elements. The toners, particularly magenta and cyan, exhibit high density and excellent stability.

DESCRIPTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to a process of preparing dry nonelectroscopic toners. More particularly this invention relates to a process of preparing dry nonelectroscopic toners comprising pigmented organic resin particles surface coated with a slip agent and a water soluble, polymeric quaternary ammonium compound.

2. Background Art

Reproduction processes are known wherein positive-working photopolymerizable elements and negative-working photosensitive elements are exposed imagewise through an original forming nontacky and tacky image areas. Positive-working photopolymerizable elements are described in Chu and Cohen U.S. Pat. No. 3,649,268 and negative-working photosensitive elements are described in Cohen and Fan U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,174,216 and 4,191,572. The image is developed by toning with a suitable toner which desirably adheres only in the tacky image areas. Excess toner which may be present is removed from the nontacky areas to provide, for example, an image which is a proof of the original or which can be used to transfer the image to another surface. Multilayer proofs such as surprint proofs can be made as well.

In view of the increasing importance of proof-making in the printing industry and the problems inherent therein, improved toners and applicators for applying these toners are desirable. Some recognized improvements in toners are those described in Chu and Manger U.S. Pat. No 3,620,726, mixtures using these toners described in Gray U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,282 and the toners of Manger, Fickes and Long described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,193. From the early use of pads dipped in toners, improved toner applicators are the subject of Sandner U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,821 (hand operated toning) and Tobias U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,791 (automatic toning). Application of any of the above described toners as well as known prior art toners to tacky image areas of photosensitive elements has the problem that the background color resulting from the toners is difficult to completely remove from the nontacky areas of the said elements. Generally an attempt is made to remove the excess toner from the nontacky areas by means of mechanical action using a cloth, brush or other toner removal means. It is known that static is generated by rubbing dissimilar materials together. Depending on the particular film being toned and the toner removal means, the amount of static formed varies. For example, cleaning brushes closest to the film in the triboelectric table would be expected to generate a relatively low charge. Thus it would be expected that an acrylic brush would generate only a small charge with respect to an element that contains an acrylic compound in its photosensitive layer. The toner, however, can also generate a charge against the brush (or cleaning means) and the photosensitive element. If the toner, cleaning means and element have an identical place in the triboelectric table substantially no static charge would be generated. Such a system, while desirable, is not generally achieved. Despite the aforementioned disadvantage the removal of background color in the nontacky areas is desirable. In manual applications this is time consuming. Cleaning operation in a machine increases the cost thereof. After clean-up, some undesirable stain is usually present in the nontacky areas. The term "background color" as used herein is the color present in the nontacky background areas of an exposed and toned positive-working or negative-working photosensitive element prior to any step being taken to remove toner therefrom. Background color is the sum of two components: "stain" which as used herein is the color which is normally not capable of being removed from the background color areas by exhaustive wiping of the areas, and "clean-up" which as used herein is the color which is normally capable of being removed from the background color areas, e.g., by wiping, air impingement, etc.

Dry nonelectroscopic toners comprising pigmented organic resin particles have been developed which provide good clean-up and are substantially nonstaining in the nontacky areas of the photosensitive elements used to prepare multilayer proofs. Such toners have been surface treated with at least 0.5% by weight of a slip agent, e.g., silicone oil having a weight average molecular weight of about 230 to 50,000; saturated hydrocarbons having a weight average molecular weight of about 200 to 10,000; or fluorocarbon compounds having a weight average molecular weight of about 500 to 500,000, in combination with at least 1% by weight of a defined antistatic agent. The dry nonelectroscopic toner particles are described in Fickes U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,941. The optical density of some toners, e.g., magenta, cyan, tends to be below the density required for prepress proofs. In addition, upon aging the toner, the toned density does not remain stable from proof to proof.

It is desired to provide a process of preparing dry, nonelectroscopic toner particles which when surface coated have clean-up qualities and nonstaining of the nontacky areas of photosensitive elements of quality comparable to known dry nonelectroscopic toner particles and possess high density, particularly on magenta and cyan toners, and excellent density and background color aging stability.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided a process of preparing dry nonelectroscopic surface coated toner from pigmented organic resin particles having a size distribution within the range of 0.2 to 30 micrometers, which comprises (1) mixing in either order or simultaneously with the pigmented resin particles at least 0.1% by weight of a slip agent selected from the class consisting of silicone oil having a weight average molecular weight of about 230 to 50,000 and a fluorocarbon compound having a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 500,000 and at least 0.5% by weight of a water soluble, polymeric quaternary ammonium compound selected from the class consisting of ##STR1## wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R₃ and R₄ are independently selected from H or CH₃, n is a number from 100 to 50,000, and X is a water-solubilizing anion; ##STR2## where R₁ is H or CH₃ ; R₂ is C_(x) H_(2x) where x=2-18; R₃ and R₄ are C_(x) H_(2x+1) where x=1-4; R₅ is the same as R₃ or φ--CH₂ ; X is a water-solubilizing anion; and n is 50 to 20,000; ##STR3## where n is 40 to 90 mole percent, m is 5 to 40 mole percent, p is 0 to 50 mole percent, and n+m+p=100; R₁ is H or CH₃ ; R₂ is C_(x) H_(2x) where x=1 to 18; R₃ is CH₃ or CH₂ CH₃ ; R₄ is CH₃, CH₂ CH₃ or φ--CH₂ ; X is a water-solubilizing anion and M is a vinyl monomer unit resulting from the heteropolymerization employing an optional monovinyl nonhydroxy-containing monomer different from and copolymerizable with the m or n units and a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 1,000,000. ##STR4## where R_(cell) is a residue of an anhydroglucose unit from cellulose (C₆ H₁₀ O₅), methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose; y is the degree of polymerization of 50-20,000 or more; and R may be the same or different and is: ##STR5## where a is an integer from 2 to 3; b is an integer from 2 to 3; c is an integer from 1 to 3; n is an integer from 1 to 3; m is an integer from 0 to 10; p is an integer from 0 to 10; and q is an integer from 0 to 1; a may be equal to or different from b; c may be equa to or different from n and m may be equal to or different from p; R' is a member of a group consisting of H, COOH, COONa, COOK, COONH₄ with the proviso that when q is zero, R' is H; R₁, R₂ and R₃ taken individually represent a member selected from a group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, cycloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, and alkoxyaryl radicals where each of R₁, R₂ and R₃ can contain up to 10 carbon atoms with the proviso that when said member is an alkoxyalkyl radical there are at least two carbon atoms separating the oxygen atom from the nitrogen atom, and with the further proviso that the total number of C atoms in radicals represented by R₁, R₂ and R₃ is from 3 to 12 with the further proviso that when R₁, R₂ and R₃ are taken together the nitrogen atom to which R₁, R₂ and R₃ are attached can be a component of a heterocyclic ring selected from a group consisting of pyridine, alpha-methyl pyridine, 2,5-dimethyl pyridine; 2,4,6-trimethyl pyridine, N-methylpiperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, N-methyl morpholine and N-ethyl morpholine; X is a water-solubilizing anion, and V is an integer equal to the valence of X; the average value of n per anhydroglucose unit of said cellulose ether is from about 0.01 to about 1, and the average value of m+p+q per anhydroglucose unit of said cellulose ether is from about 0.01 to about 4; and

(e) copolymer of hydroxyethyl cellulose and diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride, and (2) then drying the coated toners.

The improved dry toners prepared by the process of this invention are nonelectroscopic toners comprising pigmented organic resin particles having a size distribution within the range disclosed above. Nonelectroscopic means that the toners are neither repelled from nor attracted to a charged rod when placed in close proximity to the particles. The lower propensity of the toners of the invention to stain nontacky areas and the ease with which the toners can be removed from such areas as well as the high density and stability upon aging are largely attributed to the surface of the toner particles being coated with the combination of the slip agent and the polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds, both of which are more fully described below.

The pigmented organic resin particles are described in Chu and Manger U.S. Pat. No. 3,620,726. Resin matrices include, e.g., polyvinyl chloride, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate. Also useful are water soluble polymer matrices, e.g., polyvinyl alcohol, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, the particular matrix being used depending on the mechanical means of processing the toner down to the desired effective particle size distribution. For the purpose of determining whether such a particle has the preferred particle size distribution these particles can be measured, for example, by a Coulter Counter, Coulter Electronics, Inc., Hialeah, Fla. The term "particle size" as used herein with respect to the toners covers the size distribution of the smallest, independently acting unit which is called upon to discriminate between the exposed and unexposed areas of the imaging element. The pigmented portion of the toners include: Monastral® Blue G (C.I. Pigment Blue 15 C.I. No. 74160), Toluidine Red Y (C.I. Pigment Red 3), Quindo® Magenta (Pigment Red 122), Indo® Brilliant Scarlet Toner (Pigment Red 123, C.I. No. 71145), Toluidine Red B (C.I. Pigment Red 3), Watchung®Red B (C.I. Pigment Red 48), Permanent Rubine F6B13-1731 (Pigment Red 184), Hansa® Yellow (Pigment Yellow 98), Dalamar® Yellow (Pigment Yellow 74, C.I. No. 11741), Toluidine Yellow G (C.I. Pigment Yellow 1), Monastral® Blue B (C.I. Pigment Blue 15), Monastral® Green B (C.I. Pigment Green 7), Pigment Scarlet (C.I. Pigment Red 60), Auric Brown (C.I. Pigment Brown 6), Monastral® Green G (Pigment Green 7), Carbon Black, Sterling NS N 774 (Pigment Black 7, C.I. No. 77266), etc.

Slip agents which are useful for coating the particulate toner surface are selected from the group consisting of silicone oil having a weight average molecular weight of about 230 to 50,000; and fluorocarbon compounds having a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 500,000.

Silicone oils useful in the invention include: polydimethylsiloxane (compound 7 in the examples below) and polymethyl (R) siloxane where R is an alkyl chain with 2 to 12 carbon atoms, e.g., ethyl to dodecyl.

Fluorinated hydrocarbons useful in the invention include: fluorocarbon oil, e.g., a polymer of (CF₂ CFCl)_(x) where x is 6 to 10, average molecular weight 965, viscosity at 38° C. is 2740 cp, viscosity at 71° C. is 160 cp; pour point is 21° C. (Fluorolube® Hooker Chemical Co., Niagara Falls, N.Y.), and polytetrafluoroethylene compound of the formula [CF₂ --CF₂ ]_(x) where x is a number of 6 to 10.

Silicone oil is the preferred slip agent. The slip agent when a liquid at normal room temperature is a nonsolvent for the toner, is nonvolatile, and is stable to aerial oxidation.

Water soluble, polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds designated Liquid Additive in the Tables and examples below which are useful for coating the particulate toner surface in cooperation with the above described slip agents are selected from the class consisting of ##STR6## wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R₃ and R₄ are independently selected from H or CH₃, n is a number from 100 to 50,000, and X is a water-solubilizing anion; e.g. chlorine, fluorine, etc. ##STR7## where R₁ is H or CH₃ ; R₂ is C_(x) H_(2x) where x is 2 to 18, preferably 2 to 8; R₃ and R₄ are C_(x) H_(2x+1) where x is 1 to 4; R₅ is the same as R₃ or φ--CH₂ ; X is a water-solubilizing anion, e.g., Cl, Br, I, SO₄, HSO₄, C_(x) H_(2x+1) OSO₃ where x is 1 to 4; and n is 50 to 20,000; ##STR8## where n is 40 to 90 mole percent, m is 5 to 40 mole percent, p is 0 to 50 mole percent, and n+m+p equal 100; R₁ is H or CH₃ ; R₂ is C_(x) H_(2x) where x is 1 to 18; R₃ is CH₃ or CH₂ CH₃ ; R₄ is CH₃, CH₂ CH₃, or φ--CH₂ ; X is a water-solubilizing anion, e.g., I, Cl, Br, SO₄, HSO₄, CH₃ OSO₃, CH₃ CH₂ OSO₃ and M is a vinyl monomer unit resulting from the heteropolymerization employing an optional monovinyl nonhydroxy-containing monomer different from and copolymerizable with the m or n units and a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 1,000,000; ##STR9## where R_(cell) is a residue of an anhydroglucose unit from cellulose (C₆ H₁₀ O₅), methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose; y is the degree of polymerization of 50-20,000 or more; and R may be the same or different and is: ##STR10## where a is an integer from 2 to 3; b is an integer from 2 to 3; c is an integer from 1 to 3; n is an integer from 1 to 3; m is an integer from 0 to 10; p is an integer from 0 to 10; and q is an integer from 0 to 1; a may be equal to or different from b; c may be equal to or different from n and m may be equal to or different from p; R' is a member of a group consisting of H, COOH, COONa, COOK, COONH₄ with the proviso that when q is zero, R' is H; R₁, R₂ and R₃ taken individually represent a member selected from a group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, cycloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, and alkoxyaryl radicals where each of R₁, R₂ and R₃ can contain up to 10 carbon atoms with the proviso that when said member is an alkoxyalkyl radical there are at least two carbon atoms separating the oxygen atom from the nitrogen atom, and with the further proviso that the total number of C atoms in radicals represented by R₁, R₂ and R₃ is from 3 to 12 with the further proviso that when R₁, R₂ and R₃ are taken together the nitrogen atom to which R₁, R₂ and R₃ are attached can be a component of a heterocyclic ring selected from a group consisting of pyridine, alpha-methyl pyridine, 2,5-dimethyl pyridine; 2,4,6-trimethyl pyridine, N-methylpiperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, N-methyl morpholine and N-ethyl morpholine; X is a water-solubilizing anion, and V is an integer equal to the valence of X; the average value of n per anhydroglucose unit of said cellulose ether is from about 0.01 to about 1, and the average value of m+p+q per anhydroglucose unit of said cellulose ether is from about 0.01 to about 4; and

(e) copolymer of hydroxyethyl cellulose and diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride.

Water soluble, polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds of the types described above are disclosed in the following United States patents.

(a) Hoover and Carothers U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,938;

(b) Restaino U.S. Pat. No. 3,926,756 and Phalangas U.S. Pat. No. 3,948,740;

(c) Barabas and Filn U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,862; and

(d) Stone and Rutherford U.S. Pat. No. 3,472,840.

The most preferred water soluble, polymeric quaternary ammonium compound is liquid additive 1, i.e., an aqueous solution of poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride) which falls in class (a) above. Preferred water soluble polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds added from aqueous solutions for classes (b), (c) and (d) defined above are:

class (b), N,N,N-trimethyl-2-[2-methyl-1-oxo-2-propenyl)oxy]-methyl sulfate;

class (c) copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and dimethyl aminoethylmethacrylate quaternized with dimethyl sulfate;

class (d) polymeric quaternary ammonium salt of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with a trimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide.

The polymeric quaternary ammonium compound is coated on the surface of the particulate toner in amounts of at least 0.5% by weight up to about 20% by weight. A preferred range for the polymeric quaternary ammonium compound is 3 to 12% by weight. The slip agent is coated on the toner surface in an amount of at least 0.1% by weight up to about 25% by weight. A preferred range of the slip agent is 0.3 to 15% by weight. The above preferred ranges have been found particularly effective when the toners are applied to tacky image areas of photosensitive elements using a modified automatic toning apparatus as described in Tobias U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,791, which is incorporated herein by reference. If the amount of polymeric quaternary ammonium compound and slip agent exceed the maximum amounts good clean-up is achieved in nontacky image areas but another problem may occur. It has been found that pick-off of the toner in the toned image areas may occur. Pick-off is defined as low adhesion of a toner to tacky areas such that when a photoimageable element is applied over the toned image it does not adhere well to the previously toned image area (so that when the cover sheet of the element is removed areas of the layer above the toned area come off with the cover sheet, taking with it some of the applied toner).

The toner particles can be made as illustrated in the examples. The polymeric quaternary ammonium compound and slip agent can be coated in either order or simultaneously on the surface of the pigmented resin particles. It has been found, however, that the particular blender or mixing equipment used may have a bearing on the order in which the coatings occur on the pigmented resin particles. For example, when a Patterson Kelley Twin Shell Blender manufactured by Patterson Kelley Co., Division of Harsco Corp., East Stroudsburg, PA or a Hobart H-600 Mixer manufactured by the Hobart Corp., Troy, Ohio is used it is advantageous to add the polymeric quaternary ammonium compound followed by the slip agent. When the mixing (coating) is accomplished in a Red Devil #30, 5400 Paint Conditioner Model MKI-R, Red Devil, Inc., Union, N.J. or other equivalent type of mixer, the slip agent and polymeric quaternary ammonium compound can be added in either order or simultaneously. Other comparable milling devices can be used. The blending or mixing is carried out for at least five minutes up to 30 minutes or longer after each addition. After blending or mixing, the particles are permitted to dry or can be dried at elevated temperature, e.g., 60° to 150° C.

The static charge on the surface-coated toners of the invention can be determined by a test procedure as follows: 50 g of prepared toner together with 12 1/4-inch stainless steel balls are placed in 8 fluid ounce polypropylene jars, O. Berk Company, Linden, NJ, and let stand overnight (at least 16 hours) in a room at low relative humidity (about 20%). After this period the jars containing the toner and balls are hand shaken for 60 seconds. After shaking the tops are removed and the toners are immediately placed on Four Star® 402C bond paper, 25% by weight cotton fiber, Southworth Company, West Springfield, MA 01089, laid on a stainless steel surface which was grounded. The voltage is recorded after a 5 minute pause by means of a Sweeney Static Meter No. 1127 (contains radioactive material) dated 2/74, B. K. Sweeney Manufacturing Co., Denver, Colo. The results achieved with specified silicone-coated magenta toners and a control are set forth in Table 1 wherein the percentages are by weight.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                                         Liquid                                                         Sam-            Additive:   Silicone Oil                                       ple     Toner   Amt. (%)    (%)     Voltage                                    ______________________________________                                         1       M1.sup.(1)                                                                             None:0       0      >+5000                                     2       M1.sup.(2)                                                                             1:5         11      0*                                         3       M1      2:5         11      0*                                         4       M1      3:5         11      0                                          5       M1      4:5         11      0*                                         6       M1      5:5         11      0                                          7       M1      6:5         11      0                                          ______________________________________                                          .sup.(1) Control, Ml toner prepared as described in Example 1 below.           .sup.(2) M1 toner, samples 2 to 7, prepared and surface coated as              described in Example 3 below.                                                  *Static measurement determined after 3 minute pause.                     

The toners are useful for color development of a surface having imagewise tacky and nontacky areas wherein to the image-bearing surface is applied the nonelectroscopic toners described above, and the toner particles are distributed over the image surface whereby the toner particles become embedded solely in the tacky image areas. The remaining toner particles are physically removed, e.g., by wiping with a suitable cloth or clean-up section of a toning apparatus if one is used. The nontacky areas are left substantially free of the toner particles. The tacky surface is present in (a) a photopolymerizable layer (positive-working wherein the exposed areas become photohardened) (Chu et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,649,268); (b) in an imagewise exposed photosensitive layer comprising at least one thermoplastic binder and a photosensitive system, consisting essentially of

I. at least one dihydropyridine compound of the formula ##STR11## wherein R is alkyl, alkenyl or 3 to 11 carbon atoms, phenylalkyl, phenylalkenyl, unsubstituted aryl of 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and heteroaryl, R₁ and R₂, which can be the same or different, are alkyl, and R₃ and R₄, which can be the same or different, are COOR', COR', CN, R' is alkyl; and

II. at least one hexaarylbiimidazole compound, (negative-working wherein the exposed area are tacky) (Abele and Grossa U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,741), or (c) in an imagewise exposed element containing nontonable image areas and tacky nonphotosensitive image areas (also negative-working element) (Cohen and Fan U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,216). These patents are incorporated by reference. Other systems known to those skilled in the art can be used provided that tacky and nontacky image areas are formed thereby. The tacky and nontacky image areas in these systems can be formed either directly, e.g., by exposure to actinic radiation or by treatment with solutions, heat or other means to obtain tacky image areas.

The above toned elements can be used to form surprint multicolor proofs by laminating at least one other tonable photoimageable layer over the previously imagewise toned layer. Each tonable layer is exposed through a different color separation transparency, and the respective layer is colored or developed with toners in a spectral region corresponding to the color separation transparency used for exposure. In most cases four photoimaged toned elements are present in a surprint proof, the toned elements and separation transparencies corresponding respectively to yellow, magenta, cyan and black.

A particularly preferred use involves automatic color development of a surface having imagewise tacky and nontacky areas by dispensing and embedding dry particulate toners on the surface by means of an automatic toning apparatus having a dispenser for dispensing said toner above said surface, and an applicator for embedding said particulate toners in said surface, and means for moving the tacky surface past the dispenser and said applicator, the dispenser includes a hopper having an independently movable side wall, and means to oscillate the side wall laterally of the tacky surface, thereby to supply the particulate material to the surface at a uniform, controlled rate, the improvement wherein the new dry, nonelectroscopic toners described above are automatically dispensed, embedded, and the excess removed (from the nontacky areas).

The toned elements particularly useful in conjunction with the automatic toning apparatus comprise:

1. A supported photopolymer layer having tacky and nontacky areas, solely the tacky image areas being toned with the toners of the invention, and

2. A photopolymer element comprising in order from top to bottom a layer comprising a nontacky photohardenable material with ethylenically unsaturated or benzophenone type groups, a contiguous layer of a nonphotosensitive tacky organic material toned imagewise with the toners of the invention, and a support. A preferred mode of the invention is described in Example 2, Sample G.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The dry nonelectroscopic toners are useful for application to positive- or negative-working tacky photosensitive surfaces or tacky nonphotosensitive surfaces in multilayer photosensitive elements which are used to prepare color proofs, e.g., overlays and surprints. The toners are particularly useful in the toning of photosensitive elements useful for the preparation of color proofs in conjunction with a toning apparatus, e.g., automatic toning apparatus described in Tobias U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,791, without the need for a cleanup section. The toners, particularly the magenta and cyan toners, exhibit high density and excellent background color which is substantially retained on aging. The toners are easily prepared and exhibit good toning, and the proofs obtained are substantially stain free in the nontacky areas. The clean up of excess toner is particularly advantageous.

EXAMPLES

This invention is illustrated by the following examples wherein the percentages are by weight. The molecular weights given for the polymers in the photopolymer elements are weight average molecular weights which can be determined by a light scattering technique using known standard samples, e.g., polystyrene, polymethacrylic acid, polymethylmethacrylate, etc., as known to those skilled in the art. The polymeric quaternary ammonium compounds useful for coating the toners of this invention listed in Table 1 above and used in the examples below are designated by numbers as follows:

Polymeric Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Liquid Additive)

1. Poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride) (homopolymer) Merquat®100, Merck Co., Rahway, NJ

2. N,N,N-trimethyl-2-[2-methyl-1-oxo-2-propenyl)oxy]methylsulfate homopolymer. Reten®300, Hercules Corp., Wilmington, DE.

3. Copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and dimethyl aminoethylmethacrylate quaternized with dimethyl sulfate, Gafquat®734, GAF Corp., New York, NY.

4. Copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone and dimethyl aminoethylmethacrylate quaternized with dimethyl sulfate, Gafquat®755N, GAF Corp., New York, NY.

5. Polymeric quaternary ammonium salt of hydroxyethyl cellulose reacted with a trimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide, Ucare™ Polymer JR-125, Union Carbide Corp., Danbury, CT

6. Copolymer of hydroxyethyl cellulose and diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride, Celquat®L200, National Starch Chemical Corp., Bridgewater, NJ.

Compound 7 is polydimethyl siloxane, silicone oil slip agent, 200-Fluid CS, Dow Corning Co., Midland, MI.

Compounds 8 and 9 are control compounds. Compound 8 is of the formula: R(OCH₂ CH₂)_(n) --OH wherein R is an alkyl chain derived from about 50% lauryl (C₁₂) and cetyl (C₁₆). Compound 9 is a nonpolymeric quaternary ammonium compound of the formula: ##STR12## where R is a mixture of cetyl (27%), stearyl (30%) and oleoyl (42%) alkyl chains, R₁ is methyl, R₂ and R₃ are polyether substituents of the formula --(CH₂ CH₂ O)_(m) --[CH₂ CH(CH₃)O]_(n) --H where m is 1 and n is 3 and X is an anion CH₃ SO₄.

Compound 10, another control, is a copolymer of poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride) and acrylamide (8% solution in water).

The toners of the examples have a size distribution within the range of 0.2 to 30 micrometers, not more than 50% of the particles being less than 1 micrometer particles size by volume as determined by a Coulter Counter Model No. TA 2 using a 50 micrometer aperture.

L*a*b* values set forth in the examples below are calculated using the equations set forth on page 63 under the discussion of 1976 CIE L*a*b* (CIELAB system) in F. W. Billmeyer, Jr. and M. Saltzman "Principles of Color Technology," second edition 1981, pages 62 and 63. After subtracting the L*a*b* values for the area under the stain patch from the L*a*b* values for the unprotected nonreceptive or background areas of the toned photosensitive elements, ΔE is calculated using the following equation: ##EQU1##

EXAMPLE 1

The following ingredients were used in the preparation of a magenta toner:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient            Amount (g)                                               ______________________________________                                         Quindo ® Magenta   4,300                                                   (Pigment Red 122, Harmon Colors                                                Division, Mobay Chemical Corp.,                                                Haledon, NJ)                                                                   Indo ® Brilliant Scarlet Toner                                                                     850                                                    (Pigment Red 123, C.I. No. 71145)                                              Cellulose acetate      7,000                                                   Acetone               27,222                                                   Water                 21.778                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The water and acetone were thoroughly mixed and were charged to a Type 30-S Attritor stirred and jacketed ball mill (Union Process Co., Akron, OH). This mill contained 1/8 inch (0.049 cm) Type 440 stainless steel balls that were agitated at 150 rpm. A nitrogen atmosphere was maintained in the mill during the mixing procedure. Approximately two-thirds of the weight of the cellulose acetate was then added during a 3- to 5-minute period and was agitated in the liquid for about 2 minutes. The pigment was then added over a 2-minute period followed by the remainder of the cellulose acetate. The mixture was then agitated at about 150 rpm in the mill for about 6 hours at 22° C.; 5 gallons of water were added in 2 minutes followed by agitation for 5 minutes. The mill was drained and washed with water and the combined effluents were filtered to collect the wet toner. The wet toner was water-washed and dried in an oven at 115°-125° C., and the dried toner was pulverized in a pin mill. The particle size distribution of the toner at this point was 0.2 to 30 micrometers. The toner was designated M1.

4540 grams of untreated toner M1 were placed in a Hobart H-600 Mixer (blender), manufactured by the Hobart Corporation, Troy, Ohio and the blender was turned on. 2270 grams of 10% solution of Liquid Additive 1 in water was added to the blender at the rate of 125 grams per minute. After the addition of all the Liquid Additive 1 solution, the ingredients were mixed for 5 minutes followed by the addition of 454 grams of Compound 7, polydimethyl siloxane, at rate of 35 grams/minute. After completion of the addition of Compound 7, mixing was continued for an additional 30 minutes, the blender speed being varied from speed setting 3 (slowest) to speed setting 1 (fastest). The toner was then dried in an oven at 110° C. for 18 hours.

A positive-working photopolymerizable element similar to that described in Example 1, Chu and Cohen U.S. Pat. No. 3,649,268 was prepared having a 0.0003 inch (0.000076 cm) photopolymer layer coated on 0.0005 inch (0.0013 cm) polyethylene terephthalate film support, and covered by a suitable 0.00075 inch (0.0019 cm) polypropylene cover sheet. As described in Example 1 of said U.S. Pat. No. 3,649,268, the cover sheet was removed and the photopolymer layer was laminated to Kromekote® paper (on cast coated side). A suitable solid test pattern image was exposed on the photopolymer whereby the exposed areas became hardened and the unexposed areas remained tacky. The polyethylene terephthalate film was then removed, a 1.25 inch (˜3.15 cm) square self-sticking label was attached to an exposed area of the imaged element, and the image was developed by toning using the toning apparatus described in Tobias U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,791, wherein the hopper has a laterally oscillating sidewall and the cleaning pad was eliminated. The machine was run at 4 ft/min (1.22 m/min). The label protected the exposed, nonreceptive area of the element under it from being contacted with toner particles during the toning step. To obtain equilibrium conditions rapidly the toning pad was first saturated with toner by applying toner on the pad across its width and pressing it with a 1-inch (2.54 cm) wide spatula. The stain patch was removed after toning the element and results indicated in Table 2 were obtained using the process described below.

A negative-working photosensitive element was prepared by laminating in surface-to-surface relationship at room temperature with a pressure of about 40 psi (2.81 kg/dm²) a supported photopolymerizable layer (I) and supported tonable, tacky elastomer contiguous layer (II). Layers I and II are prepared as follows:

I. Nontonable Photopolymerizable Layer

A coating solution of a photopolymerizable composition was prepared by mixing together the following ingredients:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient            Weight (g)                                               ______________________________________                                         Polymethyl methacrylate                                                                              41.54                                                    (MW 200,000-300,000)                                                           Di-(3-acryloxy-2-hydroxypropyl)                                                                      51.86                                                    ether of Bisphenol-A                                                           (2-chlorophenyl-4,5-diphenyl                                                                         2.20                                                     imidazolyl) dimer                                                              2-(Stilbyl-4")-naphtho-                                                                              2.20                                                     1',2';4.5)1,2,3-triazol-2"-                                                    sulfonic acid phenyl ester                                                     2-Mercaptobenzoxazole 1.50                                                     Polyethylene oxide (MW 600,000)                                                                      0.70                                                     Methanol              20.70                                                    Methylene chloride    323.70                                                   ______________________________________                                    

This solution was coated at a coating weight of about 40 mg/dm² when dried on a clear polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of 0.0005 inch (0.0015 cm) which was surface treated by electrostatic discharge at 0.07 coulombs/ft₂ (0.093 coulombs/m²).

II. Tonable, Tacky Elastomer Contiguous Layer

A coating solution was prepared by mixing together the following ingredients:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient            Weight (g)                                               ______________________________________                                         Random copolymer of   19.75                                                    styrene/butadiene (40/60)                                                      Cis-polybutadiene     79.75                                                    (Mooney Viscosity 55-60)                                                       Tetra-bis[methylene-3-                                                                               0.50                                                     (3',5'-di-t-butyl-4'-)                                                         hydroxyphenyl)propionate]methane                                               Methylene chloride to make                                                                           1333.30                                                  ______________________________________                                    

This solution was coated on polyethylene terephthalate film having a releasable layer of polydimethyl siloxane coated thereon to give a coating weight of about 125 mg/dm² when dried.

The negative-working element was exposed through the electrostatic discharge treated, clear polyethylene terephthalate film for about 30 seconds on a Berkey-Ascor Vacuum Printer exposure device fitted with a photopolymer lamp (2 kW) and a Kokomo glass filter (No. 400) Kokomo Opalescent Glass Co., Kokomo, IN. The distance between the lamp and the vacuum frame of the device was about 38 inches (96.52 cm). After exposure, the exposed element was taped securely to a suitable flat surface, and the clear polyethylene terephthalate cover sheet was stripped by pulling at one corner with an even, continuous motion at an angle of about 135°-180°. The resulting exposed, photopolymerized image adhered to the treated polyethylene terephthalate film and was removed therewith exposing equivalent areas of the contiguous layer (II). The tacky image was developed by toning using the toning apparatus described above. A self-sticking label was attached prior to toning, and removed after toning as described earlier. Results concerning the two elements are shown in Table 2 below.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                                                           Lack of                                                                        Background                                   L*           a*     b*      D.sub.max.sup.(1)                                                                    Color                                        ______________________________________                                         Negative                                                                              46.5      68.3   6.1   1.38  Excellent                                  Working                                                                        Film                                                                           Positive                                                                              43.8      70.6   9.6   1.57  Excellent                                  working                                                                        Film                                                                           ______________________________________                                          .sup.(1) D.sub.max was measured using an ACS Spectrosensor, Applied Color      Systems, Princeton, NJ                                                   

EXAMPLE 2

19.43 kgs of magenta toner (M1) were prepared by the procedure described in Example 1 and divided into nine equal parts. A tenth part of magenta toner (M2) was prepared using the same procedure with the following exceptions: ingredients and the amount of each ingredient outlined below were used:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient           Weight (g)                                                ______________________________________                                         Quindo ® Magenta  5312                                                     (Pigment Red 122,                                                              Harmon Colors Division, Mobay                                                  Chemical Corp., Haledon, NJ)                                                   Cellulose acetate     6470                                                     Acetone              27676                                                     Water                22231                                                     ______________________________________                                    

Each part was surface coated with a Liquid Additive and Compound 7 as indicated in Table 3, the blending being done in a Patterson-Kelley Twin Shell Blender (manufactured by the Patterson-Kelley Company, Division of Harsco Corporation, East Stroudsburg, PA) instead of the Hobart Blender. These toners were used to tone a negative-working element described in Example 1 using the procedure described in that Example. As noted in Table 3 below, when the specific blender of this example is used the first liquid additive should be the polymeric quaternary ammonium compound rather than polydimethyl siloxane (Compound 7).

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________                 1st          2nd                                                               Addn         Addn                                                      First                                                                              Amt.sup.(1)                                                                        Rate Second                                                                             Amt.sup.(1)                                                                        Rate                                                  Sample                                                                             Liquid                                                                             (g) (g/min)                                                                             Liquid                                                                             (g) (g/min)                                                                             L* a* b*                                                                               D .sub.max.sup.(2)                       __________________________________________________________________________     A   1.sup.(3,4)                                                                        1135                                                                               40   7   227 19   45.1                                                                              68.8                                                                              7.5                                                                              1.45                                     B   7.sup.(3,4)                                                                         227                                                                               20   1   1135                                                                               40   49.5                                                                              63.9                                                                              3.3                                                                              1.19                                     C   2.sup.(3,4)                                                                        2270                                                                                 40.sup.(6)                                                                        7   227 20   47.5                                                                              67.6                                                                              4.8                                                                              1.33                                     D   1.sup.(3,4)                                                                        1135                                                                               40   7   227 20   44.2                                                                              68.8                                                                              9.2                                                                              1.49                                     E   7.sup.(3,4)                                                                         227                                                                               20   1   1135                                                                               40   50.0                                                                              64.2                                                                              3.0                                                                              1.18                                     F   1.sup.(3,4)                                                                        1362                                                                               40   7   227 20   46.1                                                                              68.4                                                                              6.2                                                                              1.39                                     G   1.sup.(3,4)                                                                         740                                                                               20   7   216 20   44.8                                                                              68.9                                                                              7.6                                                                              1.46                                     H   1.sup.(3,5)                                                                         740                                                                               20   7   216 20   42.8                                                                              69.3                                                                              8.8                                                                              1.47                                     __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.(1) % active ingredient First Liquid A, D, F all 10; B, E both 100;       5; G and H both 20; % active ingredient Second Liquid: A, C, D, F, G, H        all 100; B, E both 10                                                          .sup.(2) D.sub.max measured as in Example 1.                                   .sup.(3) Lack of background color  excellent                                   .sup.(4) Toner M1                                                              .sup.(5) Toner M2                                                              .sup.(6) Treated toner reground                                          

EXAMPLE 3

200 grams of an untreated magenta toner, M1, prepared as described in Example 1, 22.0 g of Compound 7, an amount of a Liquid Additive to give 5% dry weight based on the weight of the untreated toner, and a 9-inch (22.86 cm) stainless steel chain were added to a two-quart Bain Marie container (Le Beau Products, Baraboo, Wisc. 53913), with stirring after each addition using a spatula. This mixture was then blended 30 minutes on a Red Devil Paint Conditioner, Model MKI-R (Red Devil, Inc., Union, N.J.). The toner was then dried in an oven at 105°-115° C. for 16 hours.

A negative-working photosensitive element was prepared, exposed and toned as described in Example 1 using the above-described treated toners.

Total background color caused by a combination of poor "clean-up" and "strain" was measured. L*a*b* data was obtained on the area under the stain patch using the ACS Spectrosensor (Applied Color Systems, Princeton, NJ). This value was subtracted from the value obtained in the unprotected, nonreceptive or background areas of the toned element. Ten measurements were made on each toned element:

Two within 1 inch (2.54 cm) of the leading edge of the toned element.

Two in each third of the toned element for a total of six.

Two within 1 inch (2.54 cm) of the trailing edge of the toned element. (This is important since it is often sensitive to poor clean-up).

Optical density (D_(max)) and average deviation (sigma) were measured on a MacBeth RD918 narrow band Densitometer by averaging a 100-7/8 inch diameter toned circles. Results are shown in Table 4 below:

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Liquid                      (ΔE)                                         Additive         Average    Background Color                                   (% active        Deviation           Trailing                                  ingredient)                                                                             D.sub.max                                                                              (Σ)  Full Proof                                                                              Edge                                      ______________________________________                                         2     (15)   1.78    0.017    0.63     0.71                                    1     (10)   1.91    0.024    0.50     0.72                                    5     (10)   1.85    0.024    1.14     1.56                                    6     (10)   1.76    0.020    0.89     1.85                                    3     (10)   1.87    0.023    0.14     0.22                                    4     (10)   1.88    0.030    0.44     0.78                                    9    (100)   1.58    0.012    0.24     0.20                                    Control                                                                        8    (100)   1.65    0.023    2.4      10.5                                    Control                                                                        10    (8)    1.91    0.59     20.7     12.4                                    Control                                                                        None     2.07    0.033      54.0     58.5                                      Control                                                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 4

The toners prepared as described in Example 3 were aged for 7 days at 75° C. and used to tone negative-working photopolymerizable elements as described in Example 3. Results are shown in Table 5 below:

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                                                    %                                                                  (ΔE)  Change   Back-                                                     Background  in       ground                                              Avg.  Color       Density  Color                                                     Devi-         Trail-                                                                               Fresh- Change                               Liquid D.sub.max.sup.(1)                                                                      ation   Full  ing   aged   (Full                                Additive                                                                              (aged)  (Σ)                                                                              Proof Edge  Fresh  Proof)                               ______________________________________                                         2      1.80     0.0026 0.25  0.25  -1.1   -0.38                                1      1.85    0.018   0.68  0.51  +3.1   +0.18                                5      1.82    0.025   0.54  0.79  -1.6   -0.60                                6      1.75    0.024   0.32  0.33  -0.6   -0.57                                3      1.79    0.039   0.21  0.19  -4.3   +0.07                                4      1.82    0.021   0.31  0.34  -3.2   -0.13                                9      1.83    0.032   0.86  0.93  +15.8  +0.62                                Control                                                                        8      2.06    0.037   12.2  25.0  +24.8  +9.8                                 Control                                                                        10     1.90     0.0063 51.9  47.6  -0.5   +31.2                                Control                                                                        None   1.62    0.023   72.0  72.2  -21.7  +18.0                                Control                                                                        ______________________________________                                          .sup.(1) D.sub.max measured as described in Example 3.                   

EXAMPLE 5

A cyan toner was prepared as described in Example 1 from the following ingredients:

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient           Amount (g)                                                ______________________________________                                         Monastral ® Blue G (copper                                                                       1,728.0                                                  phthalocyanine, Pigment Blue 15                                                C.I. No. 74160)                                                                Cellulose acetate     7,871.0                                                  Acetone              27,669.6                                                  Water                22,680.6                                                  ______________________________________                                    

The toner is designated C1. To 300 grams of this untreated toner in a two quart Bain Marie container (LeBeau Products, Baraboo, Wisc.) were added 24 g (8%) of Compound 7 and a 9 inch (22.86 cm) stainless steel chain. After stirring with a spatula, the mixture was blended 30 minutes on a Red Devil Paint Conditioner, Model MKI-R (Red Devil, Inc., Union, NJ), followed by the addition of 5% of Liquid Additive, identified in Table 6 below. The mixture was then blended for another 30 minutes and dried overnight at 100° C.

The toners treated as described above were used to tone negative-working photopolymerizable elements prepared as described in Example 1. Results are shown in Table 6.

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Liquid                                  Stain                                  Additive                                                                               D.sub.max.sup.(1)                                                                         L*     a*      b*    ΔE                               ______________________________________                                         1.sup.(2)                                                                              1.22       51.8   -30.5    50.3 0.2                                    8 (Control)                                                                            1.05       55.4   -29.4   -47.0 0.3                                    ______________________________________                                          .sup.(1) D.sub.max was measured using ACS spectrosensor (Applied Color         Systems, Princeton, NJ)                                                        .sup.(2) 75 grams of 20% solution                                        

The toner of the invention results in a 16.19% increase in D_(max) and slightly improved stain than the element toned with the control toner. 

We claims:
 1. A process of preparing dry nonelectroscopic surface coated toner from pigmented organic resin particles having a size distribution within the range of 0.2 to 30 micrometers, which comprises (1) mixing in either order or simultaneously with the pigmented resin particles at least 0.1% by weight of liquid a slip agent selected from the class consisting of silicone oil having a weight average molecular weight of about 230 to 50,000 and a fluorocarbon compound having a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 500,000 and at least 0.5% by weight of a water soluble, polymeric quaternary ammonium compound selected from the class consisting of ##STR13## wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R₃ and R₄ are independently selected from H or CH₃, n is a number from 100 to 50,000, and X is a water-solubilizing anion; ##STR14## where R₁ is H or CH₃ ; R₂ is C_(x) H_(2x) where x=2-18; R₃ and R₄ are C_(x) H_(2x+1) where x=1-4; R₅ is the same as R₃ or φ--CH₂ ; X is a water-solubilizing anion; and n is 50 to 20,000; ##STR15## where n is 40 to 90 mole percent, m is 5 to 40 mole percent, p is 0 to 50 mole percent, and n+m+p=100; R₁ is H or CH₃ ; R₂ is C_(x) H_(2x) where x=1 to 18; R₃ is CH₃ or CH₂ CH₃ ; R₄ is CH₃, CH₂ CH₃ or φ--CH₂ ; X is a water-solubilizing anion and M is a vinyl monomer unit resulting from the heteropolymerization employing an optional monovinyl nonhydroxy-containing monomer different from and copolymerizable with the m or n units and a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 1,000,000, ##STR16## where R_(cell) is a residue of an anhydroglucose unit from cellulose (C₆ H₁₀ O₅), methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose; y is the degree of polymerization of 50-20,000 or more; and R may be the same or different and is: ##STR17## where a is an integer from 2 to 3; b is an integer from 2 to 3; c is an integer from 1 to 3; n is an integer from 1 to 3; m is an integer from 0 to 10; p is an integer from 0 to 10; and q is an integer from 0 to 1; a may be equal to or different from b; c may be equal to or different from n and m may be equal to or different from p; R' is a member of a group consisting of H, COOH, COONa, COOK, COONH₄ with the proviso that when q is zero, R' is H; R₁, R₂ and R₃ taken individually represent a member selected from a group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, cycloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, and alkoxyaryl radicals where each of R₁, R₂ and R₃ can contain up to 10 carbon atoms with the proviso that when said member is an alkoxyalkyl radical there are at least two carbon atoms separating the oxygen atom from the nitrogen atom, and with the further proviso that the total number of C atoms in radicals represented by R₁, R₂ and R₃ is from 3 to 12 with the further proviso that when R₁, R₂ and R₃ are taken together the nitrogen atom to which R₁, R₂ and R₃ are attached can be a component of a heterocyclic ring selected from a group consisting of pyridine, alpha-methyl pyridine, 2,5-dimethyl pyridine; 2,4,6-trimethyl pyridine, N-methylpiperidine, N-ethylpiperidine, N-methyl morpholine and N-ethyl morpholine; X is a water-solubilizing anion, and V is an integer equal to the valence of X; the average value of n per anhydroglucose unit of said cellulose ether is from about 0.01 to about 1, and the average value of m+p+q per anhydroglucose unit of said cellulose ether is from about 0.01 to about 4; and(e) copolymer of hydroxyethyl cellulose and diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride, and (2) then drying the coated toners.
 2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the pigmented resin particles are surface coated by mixing them first with the water soluble polymeric quaternary ammonium compound and then with the slip agent.
 3. A process according to claim 1 wherein the slip agent is polydimethylsiloxane or polymethyl (R) siloxane where R is an alkyl chain with 2 to 12 carbon atoms.
 4. A process according to claim 2 wherein the slip agent is polydimethylsiloxane or polymethyl (R) siloxane where R is an alkyl chain with 2 to 12 carbon atoms.
 5. A process according to claim 1 wherein the polymeric quaternary ammonium compound is poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride).
 6. A process according to claim 2 wherein the polymeric quaternary ammonium compound is poly(dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride).
 7. A process according to claim 1 wherein the pigmented resin particles are comprised of cellulose acetate particles having pigment particles embedded in their surfaces. 